Ember Frost’s POV

Only then did the people seem to snap back to themselves, one by one.

But something still felt… off.

The group that had been standing behind Axel just moments ago—those who had been loudest in defending him—were suddenly stiff.

No one spoke. No one even dared breathe too loudly.

Behind them, Elder Anna calmly finished packing her tools, closing her bag with a soft click like she was done with a routine job. Ellan stood nearby, checking his instruments as if ...